The differences in learning motivation of college freshmen in Northwest China

Exploring the motivation of self-directed learning of hospital pharmacists: a multicentre qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Self-directed learning (SDL) has been embraced by the medical community as a core professional competency, with motivation considered a crucial component of SDL. However, little is known about how hospital pharmacists perceive motivation in SDL in the workplace. This study aimed to examine the intrinsic and external motivation of hospital pharmacists in SDL.

DESIGN

This study employed a multicentre qualitative design, which lasted 13 months from May 2020 to June 2021. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed in NVivo V.12.0. Thematic analysis method was used to analyse the data.

SETTING

The study took place in nine public hospitals located in urban areas of Henan Province.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixteen hospital pharmacists were enrolled from the pharmacy departments of the sample hospitals, using a purposive sampling method.

RESULTS

Sixteen one-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted, identifying intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in SDL for hospital pharmacists in the workplace. Intrinsic motivation includes curiosity and interest, achievement, self-efficacy and personal growth. Extrinsic motivation includes a more comprehensive set of elements, such as interpersonal motivations, work-related motivations and career-related motivations.

CONCLUSIONS

Personal interests, the influence of surrounding individuals (directly or indirectly), work-related requirements and pressures, and professional development requirements and pressures are the main intrinsic or extrinsic motivations for SDL among hospital pharmacists in China. Future research may focus on these aspects to enhance the SDL competence of hospital pharmacists and other medical personnel.